Europa League: Preliminary Round Ends

Six games were contested this past Thursday (Independence Day here in the US) as the Europa League's preliminary round concluded.

At Cardiff, Wales:

Mayron De Almeida scored the series-winning goal in the 73rd minute as Progres Niederkorn, despite dropping a 2-1 game-two road decision to Cardiff Metropolitan University, won their series with the Welsh club on away goals with the aggregate total at 2-2.

Next up for the club from Luxembourg, a two-game first-qualifying-round encounter with Ireland's Cork City.

At Andorra la Vella, Andorra:

Goals from Nikola Zugic (17') and Marco Gasperoni (OG-84') propelled Engordany to a 2-1 game-two home victory over La Fiorita and a 3-1 series victory on aggregate.

For the Andorran club, it's a two-game series up next against Dinamo Tbilisi from Georgia.

At Gibraltar:

Adrian Gallardo (38'), Tjay De Barr (48'), Liam Walker (78'), and Juan Pedro Rico Dominguez (90'+2) each scored once as Europa wiped out their 3-2 defeat from the opening contest by demolishing visiting Sant Julia 4-0 in game two and ousted the Andorran club 6-3 on aggregate.

Europa will next take on Poland's Legia Warsaw.

At Toftir, Faroe Islands:

A game-two 0-0 road stalemate with NSI Runavik was good enough for Ballymena United as the Northern Irish club won their series 2-0 on aggregate.

Ballymena United will next tangle with Sweden's Malmo FF.

At Seravalle, San Marino:

Joannes Bjartalid (PK-29'), Jonn Johannesen (33'), Patrik Johannesen (45'+2), and Joannes Danielsen (75') each scored a goal as KI Klaksvik demolished Tre Fiori 4-0 on the road in game two and manhandled and club from San Marino 9-1 on aggregate.

Up next for the Faroese club, a two-match battle with Riterial from Lithuania.

At Belfast, Northern Ireland:

Conor McMenamin (25'), Joe Gormley (44'), Conor McDermott (82'), and Rory Donnelly (84') each bagged a goal as Cliftonville demolished visiting Barry Town United 4-0 in game two and eliminated the Welsh club by that same score on aggregate.

The Northern Irish club will now get ready for a two-game series against Haugesund from Norway.